Originally posted at the DL December 2015
Actually, before anything else, we gotta do this. It's Slayers man.
OP1 (Get Along)- Pretty basic, though fittingly it's really sorta Lina introducing herself, literally so in the spoken word part of course. But really that's sorta the appeal in general, Lina Inverse isn't a very standard character and for all people tend to cite one of the supporting cast as their favorites, she's the reason the show works and what gives it appeal.
ED1 (Kujikenaikara)- Probably my favorite of the series' EDs. It doesn't have any special connection to the show really, but it's such a good general ending theme I think. NEVER GIVE UP. WE'LL BE BACK. Etc.
So the first half or so of season 1 here is strange. I'm assuming there was a mid-season break in there. But the tone of the show shifted pretty noticeably (the fourth wall breaking drastically reduced in particular), and the cheapness of the animation became waaaaaay less blatant. Actually, that's worth a note, I don't think any show I've done yet uses as many animation saving tricks, or does so as blatantly, as Slayers. Pan over one image to create the illusion of movement! That dude is huge and a Dark Lord, you can just have him talk over a still, that's kosher! For god's sake you gotta put your hands in front of your mouth to talk! EXPOSITION BREAAAAAAAAAAAAK.
And... I don't actually care! Some of this is just blatantly showing its roots as an adaptation, so long breaks for stuff like that makes it more... book-y. And the lore in Slayers, being sort of like alternate universe D&D where Gary Gygax was japanese or something, is something I don't mind exposition breaks for. When the show DOES use animation budget, it does so intelligently. But mostly the voice cast is amazing, and the characters in turn are amazing, so I don't really care WHAT Lina Inverse is doing really, I want to know about it!
That said.
Weakest Episode- Escape! Noonsa, the Flaming Fish Man! So an episode where mostly the ineffectual loser villains mock and torment Lina, with spurts of Zelgadis backstory and him showing off. I mean, it's tolerable, but just kinda boring.
The second half gets very gut-punchy. Setting that aside though, it does some stuff a lot of other anime forgets to I feel like. The last episode in particular really sells that hey, just because Lina is the hero here doesn't mean she doesn't need her companions! They don't shuffle off to fight their loser personal rivals, everyone has to play their part in the big showdown in order to take Copy Rezo down, even if sure Lina gets the final blow. Actually I guess Sylphiel does but it's not like Rezo was going anywhere at the time. Mind...
Best Episode- Yes! A Final Hope: The Blessed Blade! I debated the previous episode because... y'know, but this episode replays bits of that moment, and I think Sylphiel's desperation to save Lina comes through more strongly than the actual mortal wounding itself did. Though really picking one strongest was tricky because the last three episodes are really a set, even moreso than a fairly continuous story like Slayers was to start with.
Also I've always loved the little spell education segment. I kinda wish it showed up more.
So... I remember considering this my favorite season, but a lot of the flaws seem more pronounced on this rewatch. The pacing especially is pretty bad, and despite being probably the most important event thoughout the series, the animation issues do put a big damper on episode 10. We'll have to see how Next holds up.
Rating- 7/10
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